Aussies to stand up to Kiwi threat

There’s an Australian team that needs to stand up to New Zealand in 2016, but it’s not the Wallabies.

The two countries’ U20s side will face off in a two-match series next month and centre Campbell Magnay they need to be physically competitive.

Magnay has shown he can intimidate as an outside back, after a thumping hit on Brumbies back Robbie Coleman last year while playing for the Reds and said there’s no reason Australia can’t assert itself physically.

“I think we’re about the same size (as New Zealand), we’re the same everything, we need to be more physical and want it more,” he said.

“We’ll come away with the wins if we do that.

“I reckon we’ve got the group that can do it.”

Magnay said the two-match series would be a critical litmus test for the Aussies, who have finished fifth in the past two World Championships.

“It’ll show where we are against New Zealand, they won the competition last year,” he said.

“If we come out and play well and beat them I think we’re setting ourselves up for a good World Champs,” he said.

The matches could also be telling for the success of the inaugural Super U20s competition, which has aimed to close the gap between underage and Super Rugby.

Magnay is one of 13 Queenslanders in the 28-man squad, a reflection of their undefeated run through the Super U20s competition.

Promising dual sporting talent Jack Maddocks has also been included in the squad, one of six from the NSW Gen Blue squad.

The Rebels are next best with five representatives, while the Brumbies have three.

WA forward Shambeckler Vui is flying the flag for the Force U20s, as his state’s only representative.

Australia U20s coach Adrian Thompson said the Super U20s should have helped players prepare for the standards expected a international level.

“Our players learnt throughout the Super U20s of the standard required to compete at National level and we look forward to seeing these players take that next step to compete on the world stage,” he said.

Australia will face New Zealand in the U20 Oceania Championships on May 3 and May 7 at Bond University on the Gold Coast.